THE Lord Mayor of York got in touch with his inner child when he tested out new play equipment at Askham Bryan College.

Coun Chas Hall visited the children's playing field and research centre, at Askham Bryan College to celebrate the centre receiving its 1,000th visitor, Julie Goodwill, of Terrington.

Mrs Goodwill, who attended a seminar at the centre on behalf of Terrington playgroup, was given a silver birch tree to plant on the playing field at Terrington.

Seminars have been held at the centre since 1996 and visitors from all over the country are given demonstrations of good practice with a range of safe play equipment.

Playgroups and schools can use the play area under a permit system. The centre, which was set up by York and North Yorkshire Playing Fields Association with the college, provides parish councils and other organisations with advice about setting up and maintaining play areas.

The occasion also included a presentation to Eddie Benson, who has retired from running the seminars. To mark the occasion, Mr Benson was given a collection of plants in recognition of his devoted service to children's play provision in the area.

Principal of Askham Bryan College Gareth Rees said: "The play area would not have achieved what it has without the enthusiastic initiatives of one person. Eddie Benson has been a stalwart in threatening, persuading, negotiating and generally organising the development of the area."

Updated: 08:48 Thursday, June 05, 2003